The recent revelations regarding University of North Carolina head football coach (and NFL legend) Bill Belichick’s relationship with a woman 48 years his junior have raised more than a few eyebrows and concerns. Following the coach’s odd (to put it politely) interview on a recent nationally televised news program, questions arose not only of propriety, but of undue influence, intimidation, and even alleged quasi-criminal activity. That last allegation stems from the revelation of his girlfriend’s real estate portfolio suddenly mushrooming from a humble start to a burgeoning mini-empire. How they met, what she does (and says), and most importantly, how this this detail-oriented, control freak of a coach – who for years insisted on total and absolute silence when it came to his private affairs – are now the talk of the college (and professional) football world. And not in a good way.
But should they be? After all, what a grown man does in his personal life, with another consenting adult, should be of no concern to Joe and Jane Q. Public, right? Ah, but we care – boy do we care. Talk shows and internet columns, both in North Carolina and nationally, have devoted untold amounts of airtime to the issue of Jordon Hudson and Coach Bill. How did they meet? What is her role in his professional life? How did her influence become so pervasive so quickly, to the point where it’s become a public discussion as to whether she can even enter UNC’s athletic facilities (the University says she presently can).
Then there’s the issue of finances. Belichick’s net worth is estimated to be somewhere between $70-75 million. His girlfriend’s background, as detailed by multiple news outlets, is not that of inherited wealth. She is the daughter of working-class parents of modest means. Her dad’s a water man, and her mom owns and operates an adult sex store in Massachusetts. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but it’s the perception of impropriety that is driving this speculation. And not just from the press. News reports indicate Belichick’s own family is concerned about the influence a woman 48 years his junior may be exerting on their dad. And, news flash here, it would not be the first time a family was concerned about inheritance issues, when an older parent takes up with a new partner. But, again, should we care?
A quote from an old movie once declared, “The American people have a funny way of deciding what is – and isn’t – their business.” Years ago, when Michael Jordan left the NBA to pursue a baseball career, talk shows and columnists endlessly speculated about his motivations. Was it brought on by gambling issues? Did it have to do with the money he allegedly owed? Was his dad’s murder part of the reason he left? His dad’s death (later discovered to be a tragic street crime with no connection to Jordan) only served to underline the fickle nature of the public’s interest. For years, marital/domestic difficulties, alleged drug use, and other associated unsociable behavior have plagued all types of sports figures, both famous and obscure. The line used to be: if it doesn’t impact his/her ability to do the job, then it wasn’t the public’s business. Somewhere along the line that boundary was not only blurred – it was obliterated. My own theory is we have always cared about this stuff, but it wasn’t until the O.J. Simpson trial where reporting and focusing on this type of news infected the public’s consciousness.
So for now, we will continue to read the opinion pieces, and watch with morbid fascination the daily goings-on between a 73-yearold man and his 24-year-old girlfriend. And if you’re sick of the coverage now, just wait until the coming football season when UNC – and its high-profile head coach – are fully in the arena. Fascinating, titillating, and yes, embarrassing, details will be on full display for all to see.
I can’t wait. Can you?
